Estekwalan Mountain cannot be hiked this summer because of wildfires, but we have hiked to the top of the mountain many times. On the last time, we stopped to enjoy wildflowers along the route. In July, we can count on … Continue reading →
At the end of summer a few varieties of flowering plants are prolific, but in the lake and on the shoreline where soils are wet, there is often more variety. While paddling Walloper Lake I found that bur-reed (Sparganium fluctuans) … Continue reading →
When the skies are clear I head out into the perennial beds, the shrub borders, and the rockeries to enjoy the summer blooms, taking a few photos along the way. We have four clematis vines that climb up the side … Continue reading →
On a clear August day we hiked up Trophy Mountain to the rim and back. After heat waves and drought conditions, many of the flowering plants had disappeared, especially on the south-facing slopes. In protected areas and wet zones there … Continue reading →
Weedy flowering plants are growing in the lower valleys in the middle of summer, but next to lakes there are still a few types of interesting plants, like silverweed (Potentilla anserina) right at the shoreline. It has single yellow cup-shaped … Continue reading →
On a day with a reprieve from the smoke, I paddled Edith Lake, enjoying a morning paddle, stopping along the way to inspect plants and animals. Water smartweed (Polygonum amphibium sp.) bloomed in shallow bays with their floating leaves and … Continue reading →
We kept on eye on the forecasts on firesmoke.ca and saw a reasonable day for hiking in the Stake Lake area. We did an 8 km hike over McConnell Hill. On the southern-facing slopes, drought was evident, but fireweed (Epilobeum … Continue reading →
On a smoky day I paddled Paul Lake and moved into some of the shallower bays to see what was growing. There was lots of common crowfoot and smartweed, but in one area I also spotted some arumleaf arrowhead (Sagittaria … Continue reading →
While camping at Miracle Beach on Vancouver Island, I hiked the Trout Creek Trail to two waterfalls on Mohun Creek. Along the way, I stopped to photograph some of the flowering plants I spotted. In the shaded forest there were … Continue reading →
We traveled to the Coquihalla Summit area to hike to the top of one of the steep peaks, away from the smoky Interior. We had blue skies and hot temperatures on the 5 hour hike. Along the way, I stopped … Continue reading →
On a smoky day, I decided to paddle the south end of Stump Lake. Smoke covered the hills, but the sky directly overhead had some blue mixed with the ashen greys of the landscape. I launched off an informal spot … Continue reading →
We hiked along the Oyster River to the estuary, then along the trail on the seashore bearing north, and back. Along the way we spotted a few plants of interest. Bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) can be seen in the … Continue reading →
